Justification:
Listed as Endangered because its area of occupancy (rocky boulder habitats) is probably less than 500 km², it is known from a single location, and there is continuing decline in the number of mature individuals, and there are believed to be fewer than 2,500 mature individuals with all individuals in one subpopulation.

This species is restricted to a small area in the upper Lar River Basin, in the Central Alborz Mountains of Iran. Earlier records of this species are from the localities of Ab-ask, Afjeh, Firuzkuh, Gajereh, Gachsar and Havir, however these areas are now heavily populated and today it is believed to be restricted to the partially protected upper Lar River Valley (G. Nilson pers. comm. October 2008).

It is present in rural and mountainous areas with grasslands. Animals may be found in rocky areas with boulders along the bottom of the cliff face at the edges of the Lar Valley (Latifi 1991; G. Nilson pers. comm. September 2008). It does not occur in open areas. It is a viviparous species; litters of between five and ten young are born during the summer (Latifi 1991).

Much of the suitable habitat for this species in the Lar Valley was submerged in the late 1970s when a downstream dam was built (G. Nilson pers. comm. September 2008). There is currently no habitat loss within the species limited range. The species is seriously threatened by the over-collection of animals for their use in serum production by professional snake collectors (G. Nilson pers. comm. September 2008). This has had a very severe impact on the total population size. It does not appear to have been recorded in the European pet trade.

Access to the valley is restricted by a guard post, however, snake collectors have often been seen in the valley (G. Nilson pers. comm. September 2008). There is a need to regulate against and prevent the collection of this species which is generally not harmful to people in its remote distribution.